The Power of Association

What is it?

Established in 1932, the Arkansas Trucking Association is owned by trucking companies and private carrier fleets (as well as important suppliers to the industry) from one-truck operations to some of the nation's largest trucking companies. They understand that we are working together to build a pro-business, pro-trucking climate in which to operate.

Our Mission

Protect the collective interests of trucking companies in the political and regulatory arenas. Promote the dynamics of trucking so that people have a better understanding of the link between America's primary freight delivery system and the standard of living they enjoy. Serve our members to help them to grow their business and their profits.

Consider Just a Few of ATA's Money Saving Legislative and Regulatory Victories

Defeated five separate legislative bills between 1994 and 2005 to increase the state diesel tax, saving millions annually.

In 1995, convinced voters to reject a multi-billion dollar highway bond program that would have levied more than $15 million in new taxes and fees each year, that's more than $200 million in savings and counting.

Mounted a statewide effort in 1998 against an application by the highway commission to toll 333 miles of Arkansas' interstate highways. Amid pressure from ATA, the commission rescinded the plan, saving trucking companies more than $800 million in toll fees between 2002-2016.

Defeated a vote in 2000 against a weight distance tax proposal in the Senate, saving the industry more than $30 million annually.

Convinced voters in 2005 to reject a proposal giving highway commissioners the authority to obligate fuel taxes to more than $500 million of debt without another vote of the people.

In 2007, ATA lobbied to change state law to require voter approval before a county or group of counties can toll an existing highway.

In 2009, a delegation of ATA executives held the first private meeting between trucking executives and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

In 2011, successfully lobbied the Arkansas General Assembly to fully exempt from state sales tax the purchase price of new and used large trucks and semi-trailers that are engaged in interstate commerce (a savings of $23 million per year form Arkansas trucking companies).

Successfully urged the U.S. Congress in 2012 to compel the creation of a national drug and alcohol clearinghouse to list all persons who test positive on a pre-employment drug exam to become a commercial truck driver.

Supported congress in passing a federal mandate in 2012 to require electronic on-board recorders in all commercial trucks to verify the number of hours a truck driver has operated his/her vehicle.

Passed the "Commercial Truck Safety and education Fund Act of 2013," sponsored by Sen. Keith Ingram (D-West Memphis). The legislation appropriates $2 million from an increase on taxes paid by companies with interstate commerce to establish the Commercial Truck Safety and Education Fund.

Passed legislation defining owner operators as independent contractors and allowing them to obtain workers' compensation insurance from motor carriers to which they are leased without jeopardizing their independent status, striking the best balance between industry and owner-operator interests.

Earlier in 2014, convinced Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration officials to reverse their position regarding the taxation of extended warranties on tax-exempt commercial trucks, saving fleets registering their equipment in Arkansas hundreds of thousands of dollars in erroneous taxes.

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